The chosen ones

Perhaps the greatest challenge will be tamping down expectations. Ex-Illinois star Deron Williams, with whom Rose is compared favorably, took time to develop. Can people be patient with the homegrown product as he blossoms?

2. MIAMI: Michael Beasley

Kansas State

6-8, 239

The trade hubbub was sound and flurry, signifying nothing other than a 15-victory team must be satisfied with the player perhaps best-equipped to make an impact. What a pity.

3. MINNESOTA: O.J. Mayo

Southern California

6-4, 200

Mayo was redundant as a combo guard in Minnesota, and then he gets dealt to the guard collectors in Memphis. Only he's immediately the marquee name in the backcourt, with Mike Miller departing.

4. SEATTLE: Russell Westbrook

UCLA

6-3, 192

One rumor that was true: The Sonics fell in love with Westbrook, who made an amazing climb last season. Won?t dominate the ball and offers solid defense up top.

5. MEMPHIS: Kevin Love

UCLA

6-9, 255

Kevin McHale gets hisLove connection. Grizzlies send the burly forward to Minnesota, where Love and Al Jefferson become bookend frontliners to mesh with Miller on the perimeter.

6. NEW YORK: Danilo Gallinari

Italy

6-8, 210

A 19-year-old project heads to that noted repository of patience, New York City. At some point, Mike D'Antoni hopes to have an ideally versatile weapon for his system.

7. CLIPPERS: Eric Gordon

Indiana

6-3, 222

If the Clippers are lucky, Gordon will be the second-best scorer in town. In any case, the backcourt-starved club will ask a lot of him early.

8. MILWAUKEE: Joe Alexander

West Virginia

6-8, 220

Trade for Richard Jefferson didn't stop the Bucks from adding athleticism at forward. Side benefit: Attitude unlikely to make Scott Skiles' head explode.

9. CHARLOTTE: D.J. Augustin

Texas

5-11, 172

First shocker of the night. With 7-footer Brook Lopez and Jerryd Bayless available, Bobcats go for -- Ray Felton's backup?

10. NEW JERSEY: Brook Lopez

Stanford

7-0, 256

Rod Thorn needs to send Michael Jordan and Larry Brown a thank-you card. Want interior help? It just fell into the Nets' laps.

11. INDIANA: Jerryd Bayless

Arizona

6-3, 204

Bayless can score in bunches and slide between both guard spots, and if the trade to Portland goes through, he should take over at point before long.

12. SACRAMENTO: Jason Thompson

Rider

6-11, 250

First-ever draft pick from Rider, a school in Lawrenceville, N.J. Thompson at least will work hard. Of course, he will have to.

13. PORTLAND: Brandon Rush

Kansas

6-6, 210

Reportedly traded to Indiana and should be a good fit there with his ability to space the floor and defend?not to mention joining brother Kareem.

14. GOLDEN STATE: Anthony Randolph

LSU

6-10, 197

Before Randolph becomes a contributor, someone has to introduce him to the idea of "meals." Should be a defensive presence down the line.

15. PHOENIX: Robin Lopez

Stanford

7-0, 255

Alert TMZ. Shaq's freestyling about Lopez's shrub-like hair needs to be disseminated nationwide. Lopez has time to learn.

16. PHILADELPHIA: Marreese Speights

Florida

6-10, 245

The Sixers address one need by adding size and toughness on the interior. Seems like a no-middle-ground pick?either Speights thrives or implodes.

17. TORONTO: Roy Hibbert

Georgetown

7-0, 278

If the Jermaine O'Neal trade goes through, this is a Pacers pick, which means Indiana seems to be looking defense, defense, defense.

18. WASHINGTON: JaVale McGee

Nevada

7-0, 241

First son of a WNBA player to play in the NBA. Has made great leaps since Hales Franciscan career, but clearly needs time to develop in every way.

19. CLEVELAND: J.J. Hickson

N.C. State

6-9, 242

Is this an heir apparent to Ben Wallace--without the hair but with some discernible offensive talent? Infuses youth to aging frontcourt.

20. CHARLOTTE: Alexis Ajinca

7-0, 220

The Larry Brown Era starts off with a bang--a loud crashing sound, specifically. Bobcats need center help now, and Ajinca won't help for years.

21. NEW JERSEY: Ryan Anderson

California

6-10, 235

Led the Pac-10 in scoring. Great range for a big guy. With Brook Lopez and the trade for Yi Jianlian, the Nets upgrade their frontcourt future.

22. ORLANDO: Courtney Lee

Western Kentucky

6-5, 200

The Magic couldn't go wrong with any of two or three shooting guards available here. Lee, like the others, can contribute quickly.

23. UTAH: Kosta Koufos

Ohio State

7-0, 265

Jazz fans do a double-take at the younger, skinnier clone of Mehmet Okur. Still, not a bad fit, a big man with an outside touch to play off Carlos Boozer.

24. SEATTLE: Serge Ibaka

Congo

6-10, 228

Youngest player in the draft, but you figured the Sonics would go this direction: Take a big man and stash him overseas, then welcome him to Oklahoma City.

25. HOUSTON: Nicholas Batum

France

6-7, 210

Sort of a Tracy McGrady Light, but he's years away. Rockets don't go for immediate depth on the wing, though it was available.